Vol. 19 Fall - U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICEThe Junior Officer Advisory GroupVol. 19 Fall 2011A newsletter by junior officers for junior officersORIGINAL FEATURESChair Article: Page 1Junior Officer Spotlight: Page 2Uniform Corner: Page 3Admirals Corner (NEW): Page 4Fitness Corner: Page 5Award Recipients: Pages 11-12Announcements: Page 24Meeting Information: Page 25FROM THE COMMITTEESRecruitment and RetentionMatters: Page 6Officers in Action at COA: Page 14Officer Promotions: Pages 15-20New Officers: Pages 21-22Merchandise: Page 23OFFICER CONTRIBUTIONSArctic Crossroads: Page 7APHT-2 Operation Foothold:Page 8USPHS Goes Green: Page 9Plant the Seed, Ripe Tomorrow:Page 10Editor:LT Melanie DraytonCopy Editors:LCDR Samantha FontenelleLCDR Luis RodriguizLT Lauren BrewerLT Natalie GibsonLT Tracy TilghmanDear Junior Officers,It is indeed an honor and a privilege toserve JOAG as the 2011-2012 Chair andI am excited to get to work.Since 2001, JOAG has epitomized oneof my favorite quotes by Carter G.Woodson, “The true meaning of leadershipis service.” Without a doubt, JOAGhas been a shining example of service,leadership, integrity and excellence. Tohelp sustain the long-term growth anddevelopment of junior officers, JOAGmust find ways to utilize the experienceand wisdom of junior officers above andbeyond their technical skills and advocatefor the professional developmentneeds of junior officers at differentstages of their careers.My vision for JOAG is to continue toprovide resources and programs that activelyengage all junior officers in continuousprofessional growth, designed toincrease the success of all junior officers.Through an environment of professionalismand collaboration, all juniorofficers should have opportunities to increaseknowledge, develop leadershipskills, improve performance and enhanceprofessional satisfaction.My priorities for this year are as follows:• Support the strategic initiatives andactivities within the Office of the SurgeonGeneral• Ensure JOAG representation on allCorps-level workgroups and committees• Advocate for increased leadershiptraining and professional developmentfor junior officers• Better engage junior officers stationedin isolated duty stationsI look forward to the new challenges thatbeing JOAG Chair will present, and Ilook forward to working with each andevery one of you this operational year.With Warm Regards,LCDR Damon SmithChair, Junior Officer Advisory GroupVisit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 2Junior Officer SpotlightOfficer: LCDR Matthew William MurphyCategory: ScientistEducation: Ph.D. Environmental and Occupational Health,Industrial Hygiene, University of Iowa, 2007M.S. Medical Entomology, Iowa State University, 1999B.S. Biology, Iowa State University, 1996Hometown: Washington, IowaAgency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NationalCenter for Environmental Health, Health Studies BranchCurrent Assignment and Duties: Senior Research Scientist/Epidemiologist. I investigate outbreaks of disease caused byenvironmental factors at the request of state, tribal, and internationalgovernments and conduct research to evaluate emergingand ongoing environmental health threats.Previous Assignment: Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)with the CDCDescribe your professional experiences before joining theUSPHS:I originally started my scientific career studying wildlifeecology which allowed me the opportunity to live in EastAfrica for a few years working with local tribes on resourcemanagement strategies. Living there heightened my understandingand appreciation for the importance of public healthand I continued working in Africa to study insect disease vectorsfor my M.S., specifically the behavior of mosquitoes thattransmit malaria. I then worked with the entomology group atCDC before returning to graduate school to complete a Ph.D.dissertation in public health evaluating pesticide exposures andhealth risks in West African communities and workers. I rejoinedCDC as an EIS officer and became a part of USPHS inthe Scientist category at that time. I first learned about theUSPHS from Dr. Wayne Sanderson, a retired USPHS officer,who formerly worked at NIOSH and was my Ph.D. professorat the University of Iowa.Tell us about some of your agency or USPHS deploymentexperiences so far.I am fortunate in my career that I have had the opportunityto have led numerous public health deployments. Some of myfield investigations and emergency responses included investigatingdrinking water use and contamination issues on the NavajoNation, evaluating an outbreak of unknown liver diseasein Ethiopia, responding to flood events in various states, andLCDR Matthew William Murphyinvestigating formaldehyde levels in FEMA supplied trailersfollowing Hurricane Katrina, which then led to an OFRD formaldehydecommunity education deployment in Louisiana andMississippi. I am also an epidemiologist on APHT #1, and lastsummer we traveled to rural Texas for a community publichealth training mission. I enjoyed the opportunity to work withthe team addressing public health needs directly requested bythe community. It was a great opportunity to utilize the diverseskills of our USPHS officers.What is a goal you have with the USPHS?I believe that the USPHS offers an excellent opportunity forinter-agency collaboration to address critical public health concerns.As I investigate environmental health threats, it is mygoal to further maximize communication with USPHS officersin other agencies and utilize USPHS expertise to address importantpublic health needs. It is also my goal to serve as a careerofficer in the USPHS and to seek new challenges in rolesof increasing responsibility.What advice would you give to prospective USPHS applicants(or other junior officers)?I would recommend that all junior officers get involved withboth JOAG and your category PAC. I think there is definitely alearning curve for all of us after first joining the USPHS, andboth these groups offer a great chance to become more involvedand to identify new USPHS opportunities that alignwith your professional and personal interests.

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Uniform Corner: Proper Wear ofUniform Award Ribbons, Part IIContributed by LCDR Gene R. Gunn, Jr.In this issue of the Uniform Corner we wanted to discuss the properwear of medals as there appears to be some confusion on the issue.Hopefully, we can clear up any misconceptions with a review of theregulations which can be found at: http://dcp.psc.gov/eccis/documents/CCPM26_3_3.pdf.There are two types of medals: large and miniature. Large medalsare worn with the Full Dress Blue (FDB) (Fig. 1) and Full DressWhite (FDW) (Fig. 2) uniforms. When full size medals are prescribed,ribbons having no corresponding large medals are worncentered on the right breast in the same relative position as the holdingbar of the lowest row of medals. If the individual has beenawarded more than one of this type, the senior ribbon is requiredwith the option to wear all.When more than one large medal is worn, they are suspended from aholding bar of metal or other material of sufficient stiffness to supportthe weight of the medals. The holding bar of the lowest row ofmedals is located in the same position as the lowest ribbon bar.When more than one row is worn, no row is to contain a lesser numberof medals than the row above. Except for the uppermost row, allrows shall contain the same number of medals, three medals side byside or up to five medals overlapping (Fig. 1).Page 3distance from the shoulder seam to the coat hem (Fig. 4). Whenworn on the male and female officer's Blue or White Service coats,the holding bar is centered immediately above the left breast pocket(Fig. 5) or pocket flap respectively.Fig 3. Male Dinner Dress Blue jacketwith miniature medalsFig 4. Female Dinner Dress White Jacketwith miniature medalsFig 1. Male FDB with large medalFig 5. Male Dinner Dress White Service Coatwith miniature medalsFig 2. Female FDW with large medalAs is the case with ribbons, large and miniature medals are to beworn in the order of precedence from top down and from inboard tooutboard within rows. All medals may be worn. If only one row ofmedals is worn, it shall consist of the five senior medals.Miniature medals are worn with the Dinner Dress Blue and WhiteJackets and Service Coats. On the male officer's Dinner Dress Jackets,the holding bar of the lowest row of miniature medals is positioned3 inches below the notch and centered on the lapel, parallel tothe ground (Fig 3.). When worn on the jacket of the female officer'sDinner Dress uniform, the holding bar is worn in the same relativeposition as on the male's Dinner Dress jacket, down one third of theIn addition to being the recurring author of the “Uniform Corner”,LCDR Gunn is also JOAG's voting representative on theUniform Advisory Committee. Please send any ideas for future“Uniform Corner” columns to LCDR Gene Gunn atgene.gunn@fda.hhs.com.Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 4Within the new accountability structure, the Office of CommissionedCorps Operations (OCCO), Office of CommissionedCorps Force Management (OCCFM), Office of ReserveAffairs (ORA), and the Office of Force Readiness andDeployment (OFRD) will be merged to form the Division ofCommissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness (DCCPR).The new division within the Office of the Surgeon General willbe under the authority of Rear Admiral Scott F. Giberson, thenewly appointed Director as of September 1, 2011.AC: Congratulations Admiral Giberson on your new role.What actions precipitated this reorganization?DCCPR Director: First of all, thanks for allowing me tojoin you in the first ‘Admiral’s Corner’. I wish you successwith this in the future. All of our flag officers should beable to contribute – as it is our responsibility to help supportand develop our Corps. Second, you have asked avery salient question. Since I was not part of the initialreorganization discussions, what I can tell you is that formationof the new structure will assist to create a new synergyamong Corps leadership including a more streamlinedaccountability and reporting chain. It brings together4 critical Offices and many essential functionswithin one Division. It should assist us to more effectivelycommunicate, develop policy, and support our officers andcustomers.AC: What is your first priority as head of the Division ofCommissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness?DCCPR Director: As with any new position, my first priorityis to gather the necessary information to assess thecurrent situation, its resources, successes and challenges.We have already commenced this data collection and (inparallel) have attempted to set some initial strategic directionsand increase communications with each other andour customers.AC: What will be the most challenging aspects you can identifyas leader of the DCCPR?DCCPR Director: There may be many. The biggest challengemay be to learn to think differently about how tosolve problems. Yet, there is a huge upside. We have dedicatedand committed officers and civilians that will do everythingpossible to make this a successful DivisionAdmiral’s CornerContributed by LCDR David WrightRear Admiral Scott F. GibersonAC: Every leader brings a different style of leadership.Which direction will you take your Division?DCCPR Director: You are correct in that there are manyleadership styles. Some are more successful in certainsituations than others. Yet, one method has always exceededexpectation in my book and that is inspirationalleadership. Charles Schwab once said, his greatest gift washis ability to inspire others. If I were able to lead this way,I believe it would take the Division in a good direction. Wewill perform, we will be accountable, we will communicateand be as transparent as allowed. Finally, I do believe investingin human capital is critical. As Southwest proclaims,we take care of our people and they take care ofour customers.AC: What changes can PHS Commissioned Officers expectfrom the newly reorganized DCCPR?DCCPR Director: Aligned with the new strategic direction,we will attempt (with the resources available) to improveour processes to be more efficient and effective.There is a need to increase responsiveness and communicationsand to make certain we are accountable for ourprogrammatic activities. The accountability aspect is notonly helpful to our customers, but also to our Division andOSG. If we have completed (and documented) our activities,then we may be able to analyze and communicatesome of the challenges more clearly.Continued on Page 13

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 5Officers:Category:Education:Hometown:LCDRs Carlos Bell and Robin Toblin on a trainingrun on the National Mall in DC during the CherryBlossom FestivalFitness CornerContributed by the Inter-Services Collaboration CommitteeLCDR Carlos Bell and LCDR Robin ToblinLCDR Bell: Health ServicesLCDR Toblin: ScientistLCDR Bell: MPH, Epidemiology, Emory UniversityLCDR Toblin: PhD, Clinical Psychology/MPH,University of Southern CaliforniaLCDR Bell: Virginia Beach, VALCDR Toblin: Gaithersburg, MDCurrent Location: Both: Silver Spring, MDAgency: LCDR Bell: US Food and Drug AdministrationLCDR Toblin: US ArmyWhat do you do to stay fit?LCDR Bell: I have never been a very big fan of running. It wasn’t untilI moved to DC in 2008 that I really started to get into running. I quicklylearned that it was a lot easier for me to enjoy running when I was withothers. Now I usually try to schedule a run once or twice a week with afriend or a local running group. When not training for a race, I tend tonot do as much cardio and increase the number of times I lift weights.On average, I try to lift weights 2-3 times a week, and do some form ofcardio (running, biking, hiking, swimming) twice a week.LCDR Toblin: When I’m training for a race, I focus more on running.When I’m not, I try to mix it up by running a couple of days a week,going to classes at the gym, bike riding, and long walks. Taking a classat the gym is a good motivator to get out of bed in the morning! I alsoride my bike to work on a great trail (Capital Crescent) when the weatheris nice. When I go on vacation, I use running as a way to explore mynew area and I bring my resistance bands to do some basic toning workouts.I also try to be as active as possible on trips and do a lot of outdooractivities when possible.2010 Fitness Accomplishments:In 2010, Carlos and Robin started off the year training for the CherryBlossom 10-Mile Run in April. They even trained in the winter throughoutthe massive blizzards in the DC area. Over the summer, after seriousarm twisting, Carlos convinced Robin to take on an even greater challengewith the Mid-City Marathoners (a group of friends in DC) andbegan training for the Philadelphia Marathon. Carlos had previously runthe Marine Corps Marathon, but it was Robin’s first (she had run threehalf-marathons). For four months, they met on the weekends to takelonger and longer runs around DC topping out at 20 miles. On Sunday,November 21, they both completed the Philadelphia Marathon in justover 4 hours and 50 minutes.During the training, both Carlos and Robin took on additional fitnesschallenges. Carlos ran the Army 10-Miler while Robin began teaching aweekly boot camp-style group fitness class at her local gym. She alsodecided to use the marathon as an opportunity to raise money for a causethat had personal meaning. She raised $3,000 for Best Buddies – Pennsylvaniachapter, an organization that helps establish friendships andleadership skills to teens and adults with intellectual disabilities in honorof her sister.Fitness Goals for the Future:LCRD Bell: I am currently really into minimalist running and recentlybought a pair of Vibram shoes, or as my friends like to say “Toe Shoes”.My immediate goal is to work my way up to running a marathon usingthe minimalist method of running. Eventually I would also love to do aTriathlon.LCDR Toblin: I took a national certification exam for group exerciseinstructors and should be getting my results back any day. I hope to hit atleast level 3 on all parts of my next APFT. I’d like to run a 5K in lessthan 27 minutes. In August 2011, I’m taking the Viking Challenge, a 5-day outdoor adventure challenge in Iceland with a different outdooractivity each day. And I plan to round out the year with the Turkey Trot10K on Thanksgiving.How to Work Your Core!Toned abdominal muscles (abs) are a key element to supportthe spine and contribute to good posture.• Most people tend to focus on abs during a workout; however,constantly working your abs and keeping them contracted canhelp prevent certain injuries. Try to focus on pulling your navaltowards your back at all times. By doing this, you’ll find that yousit straighter in your chair and have better posture while walking.• Do ab crunches at work. Sit back in your chair. Straighten yourback. Crisscross your arms over your chest. Contract your abs.Begin crunching abs by pushing your chest down and out a bituntil you feel a tightening in your ab muscles. Return to sitting upstraight again. Repeat 6 times. Complete as many sets as you feelcomfortable doing.• Try doing planks. Start by lying face down on a mat. Place yourforearms on the mat with your shoulders aligned directly overyour elbows. Extend your legs behind you and rest on your toes,as if you are going to do a pushup. Your hips should not be liftedto the ceiling, nor should your back be arched. Tighten your abdominalmuscles to help you hold the position correctly, and holdit as long as you can.• Remember that good back support is crucial. Stop doing an abdominalexercise if you experience pain or discomfort anywherein your back.Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/

The JOAG JournalAs Junior Officers we all know what it means to serve and supportthe United States Public Health Service (USPHS) mission. Historically,this was accomplished in part through clinical work and ourpublic health endeavors. Throughout the years we have had manyaccomplishments and throughout it all the Corps has always focusedon the changing needs of the nation. This allows the Corps to shiftinto new paradigms and that includes the ability to determine thetype of officers we’d like to bring into the Corps. This paradigm shifthas been discussed by the Deputy Surgeon General RADM BorisLushniak for the past few months and is advocated for by Dr. HowardK. Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services. Dr. Koh discussed this paradigmshift during his presentation at COF this year, where he talked of thefive pillars for the placement of the next generation of officers. Atleast one of these following five pillars must be met for future positions:1) serves needs of vulnerable or medically underserved populations;2) satisfies significant unmet need to serve in hardship locationsor difficult to fill positions; 3) requires 24/7 availability orrapid deployment capabilities; 4) requires regular interactions withother uniformed services; 5) cannot be filled without the CommissionedCorps to address an important public health need. With thesepillars in mind the USPHS can use information from internal andexternal stakeholders to target recruitment for individuals to satisfythe stakeholder’s needs in a rapid manner.Significant internal reflection by Corps leadership determined thatthe USPHS needs to get back to its core values of serving the underservedand vulnerable populations of the United States. To help identifythese areas or professions of need, a well-established relationshipmust be fostered between the Corps and the agencies it serves. Thesepriorities will be triaged as to target underrepresented professions forthe underserved populations by having newly appointed officer’sstart their careers in these areas. This new shift may put newly calledto active duty officers in places that first and foremost meet theneeds of the Nation, the agencies, and the Corps.In preparation of this paradigm shift, Division of CommissionedCorps Recruitment (DCCR) staff will be developing marketing/recruitment strategies to best support the direction of the Corps in thefuture. With a focus on targeted recruitment it will allow the Corpsto implement improved business processes to improve the overallcommissioning process as well. The Corps needs may change as ourstakeholders’ needs change. The Corps also plans to set more accurateexpectations about Corps positions. For example, if an officer istrying to join the Corps, but their profession is not one that is presentlyneeded, we need to be better at communicating with them becausethere may not be a need for them at the present moment. Thisrecruitment approach along with improved stakeholder communicationand customer service will provide the latitude needed to adjustto the ever-changing needs of the Nation and the multitude of federalagencies serviced by the USPHS.Another major change these pillars will affect is the application process.Previously, the Corps had more or less a “come one, come all”Page 6Recruitment & Retention Matters: The Future of USPHS -Moving Forward with a New Paradigm in RecruitmentContributed by LCDR Scott Steffen and LT Chinyelum “Chi-Chi” Umejei,on behalf of the Recruitment and Retention Committeementality toward increasing recruitment numbers. Unfortunately, thishas put a huge burden on, what many feel is, a broken applicationprocess because of the limited Office of Commissioned Corps Operations(OCCO) staff and the huge influx of applicants. This hasresulted in individuals waiting as much as 13 months before beingqualified for commissioning and thus often times results in the lossof highly qualified candidates. With the above-mentioned targetedrecruitment and accurate expectations upfront, OCCO can triageapplicants to get them to underserved duty stations quickly. To beclear, in the USPHS there is no direct force management like oursister services; however, the goal of the new application process is toexpedite individuals in getting boarded and assist them in finding aposition. For this next generation of officers, Corps leadership wantsa faster process and to have all new call to duty officers go directlyto the Officer Basic Course then onto their first assignments. Byspeeding up the application process and reducing the applicationburden on OCCO, the Corps can reestablish its role in the field andprovide better service and support to internal and external stakeholders.Furthermore, the expectations of both candidates and agencystakeholders can be better defined resulting in a more transparentprocess.The five pillars discussed by Assistant Secretary Koh are the resultsof tough decisions that were made by the Department of Health andHuman Services (DHHS) and USPHS leadership. They will clearlychange the way we recruit and bring people into the Corps. It willespecially impact officers early in their careers. Field assignmentscan positively impact officers by providing them a better contextabout the Corps and enabling them to develop in ways they may nothave thought about before. However, this does not mean that theCorps will be abandoning positions in metropolitan areas, officers inthese positions still do great work and that will continue. Change canbe difficult, but sometimes change is good; targeted recruitmentcould certainly have a positive effect on future generations of officersby getting them more involved in fieldwork and by laying downa firm foundation for them to develop into the best officer they canbe.The JOAG Recruitment and Retention Publications subcommitteewould like to thank CDR Thomas Pryor, Senior Recruitment Specialistwithin DCCR and Deputy Surgeon General RADM Boris D.Lushniak for their comments during the preparation of this article.Here in the quarterly segment of Recruitment and Retention Matterswe discuss issues to help facilitate recruiting by informing juniorofficers about new or key information to disseminate recruitmentmaterials accurately and effectively. We also would like to use thissegment on occasion to highlight recruitment efforts by fellow juniorofficers, so if you would like to share your career fair experiencewith other officers please send it to the address below. If you haveany questions, comments, or topics you would like us to cover pleasecontact the JOAG Recruitment and Retention Publications subcommitteeat scott.steffen@fda.hhs.gov or cumejei@yahoo.com .

The JOAG JournalFor officers on deployment teams, the Office of Force Readiness andDeployment (OFRD) Summer Field Training Exercise (FTX) hasbecome a staple like backyard summer barbeques. OFRD this yearcombined the Summer Field Trainings of the same deploymentgroups and I had the privilege of attending the FTX for a secondtime. As a member of Applied Public Health Team 2 (APHT), wedescended upon Pikeville, Kentucky along with Rapid DeploymentForce 2 (RDF), Services Access Team 2 (SAT), and Mental HealthTeam 2 (MHT). Approximately 150 officers spent a week in thesmall town of 6,500 residents. For the second year, APHT wastasked with working with local stakeholders to plan and carry outvarious public health projects. This year our project leaders workedwith the Pike, Floyd, Magoffin, and Johnson county health departments,the Epidemic Intelligence Service officer assigned to Kentucky,LT Amy Kolwaite, and the Kentucky Department of PublicHealth.A public health need that was identified during the planning stageswas testing for contamination at a local water source. Water samplingat Elkhorn Creek and Russell Fork Water was conducted. Theobjectives were to test for E. coli and fecal coliform contaminationand evaluate areas for potential coliform sources. All samples werewell below Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards forfull body contact. The project was able to provide the county healthdepartment with baseline data that can be used in the future.One of the more unique projects that were developed was to speak toPike County seniors on various topics related to health and wellness.CDR Iris Valentin-Bon, LCDR David Lum, and I were selected towork on conducting a presentation on the subject of preventing foodborneillness. The presentation was based on the four rules of foodsafety: “Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.” Over 50 seniors attendthe event and Thermy the Thermometer’s appearance was especiallywell received by the audience.The Pike County Health Department also identified that well waterand air sampling be conducted on five homes for potential contaminationfrom underground mine gases. All five homes were located inclose proximity to coal and natural gas mines. The team concludedthat mine gases were affecting the water quality and gases that wereleaking from the wells were at or above explosive concentrations.Members from the team conducted grocery store surveys withcounty employees. A total of six stores were surveyed and determinedthat the state of Kentucky had adopted 2005 FDA Food Code.The members of the team were able to establish positive relationshipswith the county for future projects.Another project was the review of all Safety Management Plans forall Pike County Schools. A total of 23 plans were reviewed and individualreports were written for each school. As a result of the review,the team determined that a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment shouldbe performed at all schools to identify weaknesses and to incorporatethe results of the assessment into new plans.Page 8Applied Public Health Team (APHT)-2 Participation inOperation: FootholdContributed by LTJG Kazuhiro OkumuraLTJG Okumura and CDR Valentin-Bon(as Thermy) speaking to Pikeville seniors onpreventing food borne illness.Radon and lead testing was conducted in Pike County. In areas withhigh rates of lung cancer, radon gas test kits were distributed. Inaddition assessments for lead paint and dust was completed. Thisteam deployed 76 radon samples and provided the county with baselinedata to make future public health decisions.The largest of the projects in terms of scale carried out was the CommunityAssessment for Public Health Emergency Response(CASPER) survey. The CASPER survey is an epidemiologic techniquedesigned to provide quickly and at low cost, household-basedinformation about community needs in a simple format to decisionmakers.The types of questions range from the ages of the peopleliving in the household to medical conditions, and the types of communicationdevices available. In the two days, 36 people coveredfour counties and completed 409 surveys, which was 97% of thecompletion target.A Body Mass Index (BMI) data analysis of sixth graders in PikeCounty was also completed. Data was collected earlier in the schoolyear and this data was analyzed using free software from the Centersfor Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The team concluded that50% of sixth graders in 10 of 12 Pike county schools were obese,and this data would be useful in targeting and evaluating healthyweight initiatives. Recommendations were made to share this datawith the state health department and to continue BMI assessmentsusing the free CDC software.Special thanks go out to all of the APHT2 project leaders and teamleadership who worked for six plus months to develop all of theseprojects. There is an incredible amount of planning that goes intothese projects that so that the rest of us can benefit from the week wespend in these communities. I highly encourage all junior officers tojoin a deployment team early on in their career. Joining these teamsdoes more than just being able to put something down on your CV.In my case I have developed friendships and connections with myteammates that I will rely on for the rest of my PHS career.

The JOAG JournalPage 9USPHS Officers Go GreenContributed by LCDR Sara AndersonIf you are green-friendly, have a great love of nature andthe outdoors like me, and want to do your best to protectthe environment, then check out your local tour. If you arelucky like me at the National Institutes of Health you willfind plenty of opportunities to go “green.” Two recentevents occurred including Earth Day 2011 and NationalBike to Work Day.NIH in conjunction with its health mission fully celebratesEarth Day. It is combined with “take your child to workday” thus allowing a perfect opportunity for children at anearly age to learn how to protect the environment. Childrenparticipated in up to thirty events, from being able to seeup close rescued raptures from the Maryland Department ofNatural Resources including a great horned and screechowl, to planting tree seedlings.I was able to serve as a volunteer collecting recyclables.Items like old sneakers can be used to build playgrounds aswell as eyeglasses to donate to underserved populations.One donor I spoke to stated that she had been involved in aproject which brought eyeglasses to isolated communitiesin South America. One elderly Spanish woman she hadworked with was thrilled at age sixty-nine to finally haveher first pair of glasses. The best part about collecting recyclableswas that I was able to educate individuals atEarth Day about what is done with the recyclables. At myoff-campus building, I inspired co-workers to get a jumpstart on their spring cleaning by placing boxes to collectrecyclable items. Marianne Nogle commented “LCDRAnderson not only inspired me to do some de-cluttering,but also informed me how my extras could help out otherindividuals.”I wasn’t the only USPHS officer at NIH who volunteeredon Earth Day. LCDR Lester of Engineering distributedcontainers with EZ freeze at the bottom. No need to bringbag lunches. Just place your food in this container overnightin the refrigerator and it will stay cold throughout thenext day.Want to combine exercise with going “green?” Biking towork is a great solution. NIH Biking Club provides mentorsto help employees find the safest bike path to work.LCDR Sara Anderson demonstrates the properuse of a recyclable lunch containerMy biking mentor, Lisa Finkelstein, states: “Biking towork protects the environment by reducing fossil fuel useand decreasing the air pollution generated by using acar. When you leave your car in the driveway, you notonly help the environment but you also improve you healthand fitness while keeping more money in your wallet (gasis expensive!).”National Bike to Work day at NIH celebrates those whoengage in these physical endeavors. On this day, three pitstops were set up at major sites. Not only did I get coffee,bagels, and pastries for biking to work, but also a local outdoorcompany traded in old socks for new socks (they arerecycling the old socks). NIH won again this year from theMetropolitan Washington Council of Governments for havingthe most employees (700) in this event. My co-worker,Meretu Tesso, was inspired. “Perhaps I will now start bikingto work,” she commented.So you want to go greener? Look around at your agency.Perhaps there are opportunities you can take part in. Lackof opportunity? Think about starting a Green Committee atyour tour. I did it during my previous tour. Local environmentalorganizations offer workshops on how to create aGreen Committee at work. Protecting the environmentalhealth of our nation is a part of the mission of the USPHS.Find out what you can do at your tour as you continue toenjoy what’s left of our great outdoors.Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 10Plant the Seed, Ripe TomorrowContributed by LCDRs Linda Egwim and Rick NewtonLCDRs Linda Egwim and Rick Newton provide career daypresentation on the U.S. Public Health ServicePHS officers in Houston are going as far as they can toplant the PHS seed of opportunity. Houston PHS officersare seizing every chance to showcase the outstandingcareer opportunities within the PHS. Wewere out to impact the beautiful lives of these youngand bright 8 th graders at the 10 th Annual Dulles MiddleSchool Career Day. The activity was centered on thetheme; “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Professionals”.These excited and inquisitive minds are at the beginningof their career search. What better time to introducethem to the great professional opportunitieswithin the PHS? The turnout was great and impressive;we had approximately 120 students over 9 sessions.Each session lasted 15-20 minutes with about13-15 students. Although we did not present any specificprofessional track; almost every student, parentand teacher found a potential opportunity within PHSafter the presentation.The students were amazed at the PHS uniform andprofessional appearance. They were blown away whenthey realized that one could serve our nation withoutbearing weapons or going to war. This was one of themyths identified with uniformed service. They werepassionate and excited about the PHS mission. Theywere informed that the Public Health Service strives toprevent and promote the Nation’s health on land, seaand overseas. We gave few practical examples of missionscompleted that most of them had experiencedand witnessed first hand such as Hurricanes Ike andKatrina. They did not know who and where the healthcare professionals that assisted thousands came from.Surprisingly, they had more interesting and intriguingquestions than I did when I was in college. Lookingback at the detailed questions they asked, it was obviousthat these 8 th graders are ready and stirring the waterwell. If I had asked the type of engaging questionsthey asked, I would have joined PHS at a very earlyyear of my career.Planting this seed might not have seem worth thewhile considering their age and grade, but, it was completelyworth every minute invested. Above-all, it wasa great rewarding experience, and it was an opportunityto broaden their career search. I have never seen agroup of young teenagers that are interesting in whatthey want to be.

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 11JOAG Award RecipientsContributed by the JOAG Awards CommitteeOn June 20, 2011, the Annual JOAG Awards were presented at the Commissioned Officers Foundation (COF) Luncheonheld during the USPHS Scientific & Training Symposium. Three outstanding officers were recognized for their contributionsand achievements.The VADM Richard H. Carmona Inspiration Award was presentedto CDR Heidi Blanck for her outstanding leadership by example,mentorship, empowerment, unwavering support, and overall inspirationand motivation to Public Health Service Junior Officers.CDR Heidi Blanck withnominator LCDR Cria PerrineJunior Officer of the Year was presented to LCDR Mahyar Mofidi for hisoutstanding service, superior leadership, and significant contributions tothe mission of the U.S. Public Health Service.LCDR Mahyar MofidiThe JOAG Excellence Award was presented to LT Tracy Tilghman forher outstanding service and commitment to JOAG through active committeeparticipation and visible leadership.LT Tracy TilghmanVisit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 12JOAG Recognition Certificate RecipientsContributed by the JOAG Awards CommitteeCongratulations to the following officers who received the Non-Voting Member Co-Chair Certificate, Non-VotingMember Secretary Certificate, or Outstanding Non-Voting Member Certificate.Non-Voting Member Co-ChairDevelopment CommitteeLCDR Kevin BatesWelcoming CommitteeLTJG Beth OsterinkNon-Voting Member SecretaryAwards CommitteeLT Adam HughesCOF Planning CommitteeLCDR Matthew WeinburkeCommunications and Publications CommitteeLT Danielle MillsDevelopment CommitteeLCDR Monica JessupInter-Services Collaboration CommitteeLCDR Tammy WhiteMembership CommitteeLCDR Eva McLanahanPolicy and Procedures CommitteeLT Tala HoobanProfessional Development CommitteeLCDR Dominic FrasaRecruitment and Retention CommitteeLCDR Laurelle CascioLTJG Christina O’LearyWelcoming CommitteeLCDR Christine OlsonOutstanding Non-Voting MemberCOF Planning CommitteeLT David SchwabCommunications and Publications CommitteeLCDR Gene GunnDevelopment CommitteeLT Keisha JohnsonExecutive CommitteeLT Brittany LaymonLCDR Scott Klimp*LCDR Rebecca Bunnell*Inter-Services Collaboration CommitteeLCDR Jennifer McLellanMembership CommitteeLT Robert KoskoPolicy and Procedures CommitteeLT Tala HoobanProfessional Development CommitteeLCDR Heidi HudsonRecruitment and Retention CommitteeLCDR Joel HutstedtWelcoming CommitteeLCDR Eva McLanahan

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 13Admiral’s Corner (continued from Page 4)Artic Crossroads (continued from Page 7)AC: Many active duty reserve PHS officers have inquired if theyare Regular Corps after the Patient Protection and AffordableCare Act passed in 2010. Would you like to officially clarify thisconcern?DCCPR Director: I clearly understand there has been confusion.Officers that were our former ‘active duty ReserveCorps’ are now Regular Corps officers after passage of theACA on March 23, 2010. However, personnel orders are stillon hold for reasons that do not affect that status. When I receiveinformation I can disclose, I will certainly make it transparent.I hope this clarifies the situation.AC: The USPHS Ready Reserve Corps is a continual work inprogress. Please elaborate on its current status?DCCPR Director: You are correct stating it is a work in progress.We have drafted policy on the Ready Reserve Corpsand forwarded to senior leadership. We continue to appropriatelyinquire about further development of the Ready Reserve.We are also proactively having meetings to prepare ifthe green-light is given.AC: Change is constant. What do you envision the DCCPR becoming?DCCPR Director: The principal Division that provides anessential, valued and accountable cadre of U.S. PHS CommissionedCorps Officers to serve HHS and its partners to protectpromote and advance the health and safety of the nation.The Division will enhance and strengthen the Corps as anasset to the Department, agencies and all our customers.AC: Admiral Giberson, thank you for discussing the Division ofCommissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness and we wish youmuch success in your new role.DCCPR Director: Many thanks for allowing me to sharesome ideas and perspectives with you. As a final comment, Ihope that we as officers can all be role models for health.Look and act the part of a commissioned officer and healthprofessional, and don the uniform with pride. Demonstrateevery day that you exemplify and embrace the missions, traditionsand values of our service and stand ready to acceptadditional responsibilities. That is what being a CommissionedCorps Officer is all about.Please send any ideas or questions for future “Admirals Corner”columns to LCDR David Wright atDavid.Wright2@fema.dhs.gov.This deployment provided a fantastic opportunity for our team tolearn more about the culture of the region while providing importantmedical care to the remote villages. All three team membersbrought a wealth of IHS knowledge and experience. Dr. Shen, anAlaskan Native, started his career with IHS in Alaska, and hasserved most of his entire USPHS career in Alaska. Dr. Lau alsostarted his career with IHS and spent 11 years as an IHS podiatrist.Dr. Huynh has been an IHS optometrist at the Four CornersRegional Medical Center in Teec Nos Poc, AZ in Navajo Nationfor the last four years, starting her career there.The deployment also provided other enrichment opportunitiesduring our spare time, which was little. While up in Point Hope,we were able to see the still frozen Arctic Sea. We did not chanceto walk on it due to fear of falling thru the ice. The National ParkService’s Northwest Arctic Heritage Center in Kotzebue alsooffered a nice gathering place on Tuesday evenings to watch freedocumentaries on Arctic life along with also providing insightinto the area’s wildlife and heritage. Our hospital friends had aBBQ cookout for us in Kotzebue. We were also able to watchand hear the floating ice coming down the river and going out tosea in Kotzebue -definitely a visual and audio experience. Wewere so blessed to be able to take advantage of these unique opportunities.In closing, the entire team was truly very dedicated and passionateconcerning our mission in serving the underserved, and carriedout the entire deployment in this fashion. I believe I canspeak for the entire team and say that this was one of the mostrewarding experiences in our professional careers. Although weworked very hard and were at times exhausted, knowing therewere many patients wanting to see us, and the fact that we wereable to take care of these patients provided us the adrenaline andenergy shots we needed to keep on going.The Manillaq Hospital CEO may have said it best:“On behalf of the MHC staff, I wanted to thank you and yourcolleagues for your visit over the past couple of weeks. You providedoutstanding, much needed care to our communities andhave our heart-felt appreciation for doing so. You are an inspirationfor us all. Your team’s ability to ‘improvise and adapt’shows a keen insight into life in bush Alaska and was very muchappreciated. Finally, your individual enthusiasm was contagiousand the breath of health care system knowledge you sharedopened many doors for our team to explore. It is my hope thatwe can stay in touch and that you will visit us again in the future.”Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 14Junior Officers in Action at theUSPHS Scientific and Training SymposiumCourtesy of CDR Donald Schmidt

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 15JOAG Congratulates all Junior Officerson their recent/upcoming promotions!(Promotion Cycles June-Dec. 2011)To Temporary Commander (O-5)MedicalSapna Bamrah 07/01/2011Ezra Jacques Barzilay 08/01/2011Suzanne Farr Beavers 07/01/2011Deron Cornell Burton 07/01/2011Douglas Chin-Lu Chang 07/01/2011Tai-Ho Chen 08/01/2011John Stanley Condojani 10/01/2011Ryan P. Fagan 08/01/2011Nicholas Hilkert Gaffga 07/01/2011Gavin Bayan Grant 07/01/2011Juliana Sarah Grant 07/01/2011Craig Maurice Hales 07/01/2011Felicia Maude Toby Lewis 07/01/2011Sara Elizabeth Luckhaupt 10/01/2011Randall J Nett 07/01/2011Christine Kay Olson 08/01/2011Philip J. Peters 08/01/2011Tiffany Marie Sanders 07/01/2011Samir Vinodrao Sodha 07/01/2011John Renn Su 07/01/2011Kathrine May Tan 07/01/2011Jennifer Rabke Verani 08/01/2011Arthur Macrae Wendel 07/01/2011*Dena Lynn Wilson 07/01/2011ScientistCandido Alicea 07/01/2011Marco Antonio Bennett 10/01/2011Aditya Avinash Bhagwat 11/01/2011Chekesha Shani Clingman 07/01/2011Bryan Michael Davidson 09/01/2011Nicole Lynn Frazer 07/01/2011Brian Hutchison Harcourt 12/01/2011Christopher Lee Hunter 07/01/2011Eric Steven Pevzner 07/01/2011Sharon Hope Saydah 07/01/2011Richard Paul Schobitz 07/01/2011*Paul Ryong Seo 07/01/2011Andrea J. Sharma 07/01/2011David James Skanchy 07/01/2011John Stansberry 07/01/2011ScientistAnthony Phillip Tranchita 10/01/2011Dietician*Heather Michelle Dimeris 07/01/2011Christopher Patrick Dunbar 10/01/2011DieticianElaine B. Little 07/01/2011Mary C. Mccormick 07/01/2011Lisa Hope Moser 07/01/2011DentalChristopher J. Bennett 09/01/2011David Barrett Collier 10/01/2011Miguel A. Franco 07/01/2011John Vincent Linhart 10/01/2011Jennifer Lynn Lombrano 07/01/2011Yaohsien Peng 12/01/2011Kyle Robert Stiefel 07/01/2011Leira A. Vargas-Del Toro 07/01/2011Environmental Health OfficerMichael D. Boley 07/01/2011Michael George Box 07/01/2011Randy James Boylstein 07/01/2011Kenneth Michael Crombie 07/01/2011Timothy P. Duffy 10/01/2011Hayden R. Hardie 07/01/2011Martin Leon Smith 07/01/2011*Christopher K. Vantwuyver 07/01/2011TherapistMatthew Joseph Armentano 07/01/2011Michelle Baker 08/01/2011Teshara G. Bouie 07/01/2011Alexander Karl Brenner 07/01/2011Jessica Tara Feda 07/01/2011Mary Thembani Glenshaw 08/01/2011Joseph Sean Golding 10/01/2011Dan M. Smith 07/01/2011Jodi Anne Tanzillo 07/01/2011Jill Joanna Tillman 07/01/2011Anne K Whitis 07/01/2011NursePamela Sue Abrams 07/01/2011Trellis Evette Adams 07/01/2011Glenn R. Archambault 07/01/2011Michelle Elyse Arena 09/01/2011Shawn D Armes 07/01/2011Cenk Ayral 07/01/2011Wanza Rochelle Bacon 07/01/2011Robyn Bent 10/01/2011Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 16JOAG Promotions(Promotion Cycles June-Dec. 2011)Contributed by the JOAG Welcoming CommitteeTo Temporary Commander (O-5)NurseHeather Ann Bonsell 07/01/2011Eric Lee Campbell 07/01/2011Richard Burnell Canning 07/01/2011Eiginia Chacon 07/01/2011Nichole J. Chamberlain 10/01/2011Laurel A. Christians 10/01/2011Ramona D. Clifton 07/01/2011Elizabeth D. Connell 07/01/2011Dino Raul Dominguez 07/01/2011Joel David Dulaigh 07/01/2011Giles Daniel Durano 11/01/2011Leah R. Earl-Begay 07/01/2011Bradley John Espeseth 10/01/2011Anthony Wayne Ferrebee 07/01/2011Alice Marie Fike 09/01/2011Alfonso Flores 07/01/2011Cynthia Hardin Gaia 07/01/2011Angel H. Garced 07/01/2011Tammy Lea Gragg 07/01/2011Sandra Joy-Ann Griffith 07/01/2011Maya Devonne Gripper 10/01/2011Nongluk Gritsadanuruk 07/01/2011Vanessa Marie Hadley 07/01/2011Martin Dale Hamilton 10/01/2011Joseph Marian Holshoe 12/01/2011Nadina Adell Jean 07/01/2011Donna Sue Johnson 07/01/2011Natalie A. Keating 07/01/2011Melanie Jo Kimmery 10/01/2011Michael Charles Krumlauf 07/01/2011Yvette Maria Lacour-Davis 10/01/2011Scott Bradley Lamberson 07/01/2011Lea Latham 07/01/2011Anthony George Leonard 11/01/2011Cynthia Ann Long 08/01/2011David Michael Magnotta 07/01/2011John Thomas Mallos 10/01/2011John Lemuel Manuel 07/01/2011John T. Marchand Jr. 10/01/2011Darla Mary Mccloskey 10/01/2011Lois Jean Miller 07/01/2011Brenda Eloistine Mitchell 07/01/2011Aisha Kilolo Mix 12/01/2011Aline Marie Moukhtara 08/01/2011Bennie Joe Mullins Jr. 07/01/2011Goldie Nwachuku 07/01/2011Dawn Oleyte 07/01/2011Shane Douglas Parks 10/01/2011Hung P. Phan 10/01/2011NurseAileen Renolayan 07/01/2011Dustin Brian Rider 07/01/2011Davonda Osborne Roberts 07/01/2011Anne Kathleen Rogers 07/01/2011Rodney R. Sahr 07/01/2011Sherbet Lenora Samuels 10/01/2011Terri Lynn Schrader 07/01/2011Tania Eva Schuppius 07/01/2011Heather Elizabeth Skelton 10/01/2011Susan E. Smith 07/01/2011Sarah L. Sorrelman 07/01/2011Robbie K. Taylor 07/01/2011Shannon Tuckwin 07/01/2011Amy Lynn Valderrama 08/01/2011Erik Shane Vincent 07/01/2011Faith Mccall Walsh 07/01/2011Delinda Carol West 07/01/2011William George Worthington 07/01/2011VeterinarianCasey Behravesh 07/01/2011Bryan Frank Buss 08/01/2011Stacy Marie Holzbauer 08/01/2011Dwayne William Jarman 07/01/2011*Richard R. Luce JR 07/01/2011Health Service OfficerJason Dean Abel 07/01/2011Mark Joseph Agnello 07/01/2011Marjorie Baldo 07/01/2011Karen Denise Beckham 07/01/2011Maria Lourdes Benke 07/01/2011Maricela Bonilla 10/01/2011Donna Kay Brown 07/01/2011Mark A. Bryant 10/01/2011Tina Y Bryant 07/01/2011Sharon L. Bydonie 07/01/2011Julian S. Canizares Jr. 10/01/2011*Alnissa Tijuana Carter 07/01/2011Jeffrey Allen Christopher 07/01/2011Janet Cliatt 07/01/2011Christopher Duane Cline 07/01/2011Janet Denise Cochran 07/01/2011Helen H Cox 10/01/2011Stacey R. Evans 07/01/2011*Martha Sonsiris Fermin 07/01/2011Robin Renee Goodwin 07/01/2011Darrel T Hamel 07/01/2011*EPP

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 17JOAG Promotions(Promotion Cycles June-Dec. 2011)Contributed by the JOAG Welcoming CommitteeTo Temporary Commander (O-5)Health Service OfficerRoger John Harris 10/01/2011Suzanne Carole Hennigan 07/01/2011Cecily Miesha Jones 07/01/2011Vernita Michelle Jones 07/01/2011Dale Lynn King 07/01/2011DouangchitMounghane Kirivong 07/01/2011David Lau 11/01/2011Kelly D. Lucas 07/01/2011Scarlett A. Lusk 07/01/2011Jerald Lee Mahlau-Heinert 07/01/2011Miguel Angel Medina 07/01/2011Traci Hillman Mullins 07/01/2011Todd B. Pelton 07/01/2011Gerarda Wedderburn Persad 07/01/2011Chauha Thi Pham 07/01/2011*Ronald R. Pinheiro 07/01/2011Anita S. Pullani 07/01/2011Josef F. Rivero 07/01/2011Karen V. Romancito 07/01/2011Joseph N. Roth Jr. 11/01/2011Rachael Trimpert. Schmidt 10/01/2011Sarah A. Stienbarger-Prei 07/01/2011Robert Stuart Swanson 07/01/2011*Shawn Deshannon Taylor 07/01/2011Sherry L. Taylor 07/01/2011Robert Anthony Windom 07/01/2011EngineerJames E. Begeman 07/01/2011Brian Jeffry Breuer 07/01/2011Gretchen Anne Cowman 10/01/2011Alexander James Dailey 07/01/2011Cathie Marie Frazier 10/01/2011Paul Eldred Frazier 07/01/2011Thomas D. Hammack 07/01/2011M. Stefanie. Pecos-Duarte 07/01/2011Rebecca E Pollis 07/01/2011Billy J. Porter 07/01/2011Jennifer A. Proctor 10/01/2011Nikhil Ajit Thakur 10/01/2011PharmacyIrene Ahlstrom 07/01/2011Lori Jean Alred 07/01/2011Richardae T. Araojo 07/01/2011Ray Harris Branson 07/01/2011Gerald R. Brown Jr. 07/01/2011Ivanne Lynne Chiovoloni 07/01/2011Eunjung Esther Chuh 10/01/2011Hollie Joanna Cook 07/01/2011Alisea R. Crowley 07/01/2011Kerri Tracey Culligan 07/01/2011Cristen Ann. Dando 07/01/2011Peter Seth Diak 07/01/2011Ida-Lina Diak 07/01/2011Matthew Robert Dionne 07/01/2011Larron Stanley Dolence 07/01/2011Dana Renee Evans 07/01/2011Krista Sue Evans 07/01/2011Forest R. Ford Jr. 07/01/2011Lori Evans Hall 07/01/2011Robert Lee Harkey 07/01/2011Dianna L. Hatfield 07/01/2011Elizabeth L. Helm 07/01/2011Thomas Owen Hinchliffe 07/01/2011Lisa H. Kwok 07/01/2011Thang Xuan La 07/01/2011Timothy Michael Lape 07/01/2011Nicole Lee 07/01/2011Jinhee Jahng Lee 07/01/2011Aaron Paul Middlekauff 07/01/2011*Lori Beth Moore 07/01/2011Jaime Kristine Morris 07/01/2011Binh Telvin Nguyen 07/01/2011Kimthoa Thi Nguyen 07/01/2011Amy L. Osborn 07/01/2011Paras Mahendra Patel 07/01/2011Mimi Thanh-Uyen Phan 07/01/2011Cy James Riffle 07/01/2011*Rachel Lumena Louis Rivera 07/01/2011David Jay Schatz 07/01/2011Andrew James Shiber 07/01/2011Michael Earl Shuster 07/01/2011Kelley Marie Simms 07/01/2011Eric Christopher Skan 07/01/2011Steven C. Smalley 07/01/2011Emily T. Thakur 07/01/2011Judith Beth Thompson 07/01/2011Kristina Arnwine Toliver 07/01/2011Jialynn K. Wang 07/01/2011Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 18JOAG Promotions(Promotion Cycles June-Dec. 2011)Contributed by the JOAG Welcoming CommitteeTo Temporary Lieutenant Commander (O-4)PharmacyKendra Camille Worthy 07/01/2011Yon Chu Yu 07/01/2011Joseph F. Zagame III 07/01/2011To Temporary Lieutenant Commander (O-4)ScientistDanielle Triniece Barradas 07/01/2011Adam Clarence Bjork 07/01/2011Neil John Bonzagni 07/01/2011Zewditu Demissie 07/01/2011Elizabeth Lee Edwards 10/01/2011Michael Jay Franks, Jr. 07/01/2011Amy Lynn Freeland 07/01/2011Asha Zakiya Ivey 07/01/2011William Lyman Jeffries IV 07/01/2011Juan Carlos Lacayo 07/01/2011Andrew Paul Lloyd 07/01/2011Xiaowu Lu 07/01/2011Lara Katherine Misegades 07/01/2011Todd Earl Myers 07/01/2011Erika Camille Odom 07/01/2011Ruiqing Yang Pamboukian 07/01/2011Cesar Augusto Perez 07/01/2011Cria Gregory Perrine 07/01/2011Kenneth Scott Phillips 07/01/2011Heather Lynn Silvio 07/01/2011Charlene Amy Sydnor 07/01/2011Sara Yee Tartof 07/01/2011Tenaya Nekia Watson 07/01/2011DieticianDolores G. Addison 07/01/2011Destiny Dawn Anderson 07/01/2011Mary Jane Chappell-Reed 07/01/2011Samantha Jean Interpreter 07/01/2011Frank J Koch 07/01/2011Amanda Drake Loveless 07/01/2011Environmental Health OfficerKenneth William Fent 07/01/2011David Steven Firley Jr. 07/01/2011Monica Laverne Leonard 07/01/2011Jeremy Scott Mason 07/01/2011Derek Rolf Sakris 07/01/2011Elena Bolivar Vaouli 07/01/2011TherapistFrancine Amy Barnett 07/01/2011Tami Ann Lopes Bonebrake 07/01/2011*EPPTherapistCarlos Alberto Estevez 07/01/2011Allison Henry Longenberger 07/01/2011Josef Samuel Otto 07/01/2011Joann Shen 10/01/2011Steven Lynn Spoonemore Jr. 07/01/2011NurseAudra Jacinda Ashmore 07/01/2011Regin Suan Baysa 07/01/2011Sara Wanbli Bear 07/01/2011Debra Ann Belgarde 07/01/2011Donna M. Bertone 07/01/2011Wendy Nicole Blazon 07/01/2011William Charles Brenneman 07/01/2011Cassidy L. Brown 10/01/2011Jose Alberto Burgos 07/01/2011Dana Leann Cash 07/01/2011Kianne D. Cavin 07/01/2011Kamerron Cook Cooper 10/01/2011Sherri Ann Cote 07/01/2011Angela Lavon Davis 07/01/2011Lorenzo Dominguez 07/01/2011Christopher Chukuka Egelebo 07/01/2011Charmaine Contreras Flotildes 07/01/2011Angela Kay Gaikowski 07/01/2011Allison Kari Gallen 07/01/2011Ruby M Gideon 07/01/2011Robin Nicole Godwin 07/01/2011Lori Lynn Goulet 07/01/2011Elizabeth Clare Graham 07/01/2011Violet M. Hart 07/01/2011Loretta Claudia Haven 07/01/2011Nakitia Latrecia Jackson 07/01/2011Jacquelyn James 07/01/2011Mark Jimenez 07/01/2011Kerry Kingsley-Smith 10/01/2011Amy Rebecca Kolwaite 07/01/2011Steven Philip Link 07/01/2011Daniel Wade Marcus 07/01/2011Yolawnda Trinette Mckinney 07/01/2011Gloria Astrid Milster 07/01/2011Thomas L. Mitchell III 07/01/2011Yvonne Decastro Mitchell 07/01/2011Randall Lawayne Morris 10/01/2011Cimbra Leigh Murphy 07/01/2011Rebel Dee Nelson 07/01/2011Janice Oluchi Oparah 07/01/2011Veneda Tawana Polite 07/01/2011Venecia Bridgette Rhoden 07/01/2011Gloria Jean Shuler 07/01/2011Reginald Orlanda Smith 07/01/2011

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 19JOAG Promotions(Promotion Cycles June-Dec. 2011)Contributed by the JOAG Welcoming CommitteeTo Temporary Lieutenant Commander (O-4)NurseSarah K. Trinidad 10/01/2011Juliana Upshaw 07/01/2011Erica C Wilson 07/01/2011Susan Wolffe 07/01/2011Angela Joanne Zimmerman 07/01/2011VeterinarianErin Delaney Kennedy 07/01/2011Jeffrey Todd Mccollum 07/01/2011Health Service OfficerJoseph Pades Baczkowski 10/01/2011Dorinda Daryl Ball 07/01/2011Catherine Marie Beer 07/01/2011*Francis Pambid Bertulfo 07/01/2011Shannon Marie Beyale 07/01/2011Kendall Nicole Bolton 10/01/2011Jennifer Lynn Bornemann 07/01/2011Luane Marie Brien 07/01/2011Karen Deneen Carlisle 07/01/2011Thomas K. Carter 07/01/2011Fabian Nmn Chaparro-Rodriguez 07/01/2011Chung Yup Cho 07/01/2011Ryan Allen Clairmont 07/01/2011Christopher Charles Cordes 07/01/2011Jennifer Ellen Danieley 07/01/2011Elizabeth Marie Davis 07/01/2011Amy Lynn Dayhoff 07/01/2011Sylvera Demas 07/01/2011Michael Joseph Dimascio 10/01/2011Zanethia Yantras Eubanks 07/01/2011Vickie Smith Felix 07/01/2011William Michael Futch 07/01/2011Angelica Galindo-Sanchez 10/01/2011Sarah Ann Francis Garrett 07/01/2011John Daniel Getchell 07/01/2011Michelle Lynn Gielski 07/01/2011Jessica Graham 10/01/2011Malaysia Helene Gresham 07/01/2011Martin Joseph Guardia 10/01/2011Kimberley Shawntee Hawkins 07/01/2011*Eugene Doicia Hayes 07/01/2011Carla R Hinz 10/01/2011Karen Kar-Yee Ho 07/01/2011Hilary Catherine Hoffman 07/01/2011Sonjia Ann Howard 07/01/2011Lajeana Denise Howie 07/01/2011David Willliam Hunter 10/01/2011Ha Thi Kim Huynh 07/01/2011Kashif Iqbal 07/01/2011Christina Marie James 07/01/2011Keisha Danielle Johnson 07/01/2011Terrance Herman Jones 07/01/2011Lakeisha Christine Jones 10/01/2011Timothy Allen Mccreary 07/01/2011Aaron Demetrius McNeil 07/01/2011Raquel Jannette Medina 07/01/2011Jemekia E Morris Thornton 07/01/2011Kimberly Ann Myers 07/01/2011Joseph Mungu Ndifor 07/01/2011Michael Okeke 07/01/2011Jose Antonio Ortiz 07/01/2011Jeremy Ross Parmley 10/01/2011Lundy Harlan Patrick 07/01/2011Jocelyn Donna Patterson 07/01/2011Janae D.Lane Price 07/01/2011Johnnie D. Purify Jr. 07/01/2011Joseph Robert Ralph 07/01/2011Makeva Marvelet Rhoden 10/01/2011Monique Jennifer Richards 07/01/2011Alejandro D. Rivera Jr. 07/01/2011Brian Douglas Robb 07/01/2011Lashonda Jackson Roberson 07/01/2011Lashunte Monique Salter 07/01/2011Miguel J. Saponara Jr. 10/01/2011Beth Knutson Schweitzer 07/01/2011Allah-Fard Muhammad Sharrieff 07/01/2011Preston La'Shun Shumaker 07/01/2011Rodney Shane Sluss 10/01/2011Gregory Michael Smith 07/01/2011Jacinta L Smith 07/01/2011Cliffon Yvette Smith 07/01/2011Chad Nathaniel Thompson 10/01/2011Ryan Michael Thrasher 07/01/2011Joseph Sal Tomao 10/01/2011Leah Rae Walking-Bear 07/01/2011Brooke Mary Wallace 07/01/2011Malaika Pepper Washington 07/01/2011Jonathan David White 07/01/2011Lee Jerome Witter 10/01/2011Matthew James Zagula 07/01/2011Linda Sue Zaske 10/01/2011EngineerBenjamin Richard Chadwick 10/01/2011Adam Evans Hughes 10/01/2011Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 20JOAG Promotions(Promotion Cycles June-Dec. 2011)Contributed by the JOAG Welcoming CommitteeTo Temporary Lieutenant Commander (O-4)EngineerDavid Michael Kostamo 07/01/2011*Kimberly Gene Love 07/01/2011Krista K. Pihlaja 10/01/2011Richard Michael Racine 07/01/2011Tamara Shanese Rosbury 07/01/2011Michael Paul Sweeney 07/01/2011Michael David Termont 07/01/2011Ty Patrick Warner 07/01/2011Brian Matthew Willoughby 07/01/2011PharmacyCyrus David Agarabi 07/01/2011Amy Jong Alvis 07/01/2011Jessica L. Anderson 07/01/2011Maria Apodaca 07/01/2011Sean David Berkey 07/01/2011Lacey Kay Blankenship 07/01/2011Enoch Kwasi Boateng 07/01/2011Cassandra May Brockelman 07/01/2011Ryan William Buff 07/01/2011Sara L Camilli 07/01/2011Shin-Ye Chang 07/01/2011Eunice Haeyoon Chung-Davies 07/01/2011Susan Maire Draftz 07/01/2011Lindsay D. Gatrell 07/01/2011Adam Nicholas George 07/01/2011Jeffrey Scott Gildow 07/01/2011Misti Michele Houck Houck 07/01/2011Julian Pham Jolly 07/01/2011Juliet Rosemarie Jordan-Joseph 10/01/2011Abraham V. Kalathil 07/01/2011Brittany L. Keener 07/01/2011Ibad Ullah Khan 07/01/2011John David Kurowsky 07/01/2011Joseph Henry Landers 07/01/2011*Tyler George Lannoye 07/01/2011Jerome Pang Haw Lee 07/01/2011Lesley Nicole Liggins 07/01/2011Jennifer Ann Malek 07/01/2011Prabath Priyantha Malluwa-Wadu 07/01/2011Janice Lee Maniwang 07/01/2011Jarrod Eugene Mann 07/01/2011James Michael Mason 07/01/2011Michell Rae Mathews 07/01/2011Ryan Eliot Mccallum 07/01/2011Jeffrey Scott Mccoy 07/01/2011Kevin Paul Mcdermott 07/01/2011Ezra Philip Mell 07/01/2011Patrick Seth Moore 07/01/2011*EPPCarl Arthur Murray 07/01/2011Tiffanie L Myers 07/01/2011Adora Esther Ndu 07/01/2011Jessica Layne Nelson 07/01/2011Phung Thien Nguyen 07/01/2011Cecilia Phung-Kim Nguyen 10/01/2011Tina T Nhu 07/01/2011Erica Michelle Niiha 07/01/2011Shane M Nye 07/01/2011June P. Page 07/01/2011Yves Brian Parker 07/01/2011Hiren Dashrath Patel 07/01/2011Sheetal K Patel 07/01/2011Zachary Pearman 07/01/2011Lindsay W. Peterson 07/01/2011Quocbao Pham 07/01/2011Douglas Bee Pham 07/01/2011Hai Lien Thi Phung 07/01/2011Monica Michelle Reed 07/01/2011Thomas Charles Riordan 07/01/2011Tami Lee Rodriguez 07/01/2011Hobart Lee Rogers Jr. 07/01/2011Samuel Madapallil Skariah 07/01/2011Diana Adelola Solana-Sodeinde 07/01/2011Narcisso Soliz Jr. 10/01/2011Penny M. Strother 07/01/2011Kelly Marie Summers 07/01/2011Casey Delane Sumner 07/01/2011Jamie Lynn Tapp 07/01/2011Weston Dewey Thompson 07/01/2011James Alan Thurber 07/01/2011Hamet Michel Toure 07/01/2011Sydney Quynh Tran 07/01/2011Angela M. Troutt 07/01/2011Adrienne Hilda Tveit 07/01/2011Nicole Marie Vesely 07/01/2011Rodney Carson Waite II 07/01/2011Julie Arden Whitmire 07/01/2011Joshua Paul Wireman 07/01/2011Thaddus Donavan Wilkerson 07/01/2011Sarah Elizabeth Yandell 07/01/2011

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 21JOAG Welcomes 207 Newly Commissioned Officers!(Apr. – Aug. 2011)Contributed by the JOAG Welcoming CommitteeBOPLT Thomas GeraLT Francisco MarilassalleLT Meghan ReillyLT Daniel TRUELTJG Kenia AltamiranoLTJG Michael AndersonLTJG Khateeja BrahimLTJG Isaiah LittonLTJG Trish WrightENS Kellie LeveilleENS Stephen RussellCDCLCDR William HanconckLCDR Michael KinzerLCDR Satish PillaiLCDR Kerry PrideLCDR Gregory RaczniakLCDR Timothy StylesLCDR Kristin YeomanLT Kristie ApplegrenLT Sara AuldLT Rachel BaileyLT Catherine BurgressLT Grace ChenLT Kevin ClarkeLT Raymund DantesLT Stephanie DavisLT Marie DeperioLT Emily Kainne DokuboLT David FitterLT Eleanor FlemingLT Tiana GarrettLT Paul GastanaduyLT Yoran GrantLT Adena GreenbaumLT Stephanie GrieseLT Michael GronostajLT Cara HalldinLT James HoustonLT Keisha HoustonLT David HuangLT Camille IntrocasoLT Mathew JohnsonLT Rachel JosephLT Andrew KupperLT Alison LauferLT Terrence LoLT Robert LuoLT Sarah MeyerLT Christina MikoszLT Erin ParkerLT Manihsa PatelLT Meredith PyleLT Maria SaidLT Heather ScobieLT Isaac SeeLT Rachel SmithLT Maroya SpaldingLT Eboni TaylorLT Amita TopraniLT Joyanna WendtLT Karen WongLT Jonathan WorthamLT Stephanie YendellCMSLCDR Frankeena WrightDHSLCDR Ryan SheffieldLT Alexia ButlerLT Deana FosterLT Jeremy GustafsonLT Katrina MartinezLTJG Haydee CruzDOD TMALT John StansonLT Aimee WilliamENS Nicole CrosbyEPALCDR Brian BeardenFDALCDR Lisa GilliamLCDR Frank HurstLCDR Melinda McLawhornLCDR Jennifer SheperdLT Raichell BrownLT Jessica FoxLT June GermainLT Kimberley GordonLT Iram HassanLT Tamara HendersonLT Samina KhanLT Mark LiberatoreLT Stephen MottolaLT Oluwamurewa OguntimeinLT Michelle RodriguezLT Alysia SaloniaLT Cullen WilsonLTJG Nicole BellLTJG Timothy OnserioLTJG Erik SandvigLTJG Krista TuggleHRSALT Hyewon LeeLTJG Enudio Mercado-GonzalezENS Alex ClassenENS Lois LeeIHSLCDR Thomas ArmitageLCDR Stephanie LovellLT Jennifer BongartzLT Amanda BonnerLT Laura BotkinsLT Michelle ChandlerLT Valerie CooperLT Joshua CroweLT Dwayne DavidLT Russell DevolderVisit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 22Newly Commissioned Officers!Contributed by the JOAG Welcoming CommitteeLT Janet DudleyLT Christopher FishLT David FossLT Deborah GalloLT Rovigel GelviroLT Niki HaneyLT James HayleyLT Megan HostetterLT Marie JohnstonLT Crystal LuiLT Linsey MillerLT Roxana MirabalLT Clayton MyersLT Ogechi OlumbaLT Rodica PopescuLT Landon SamsLT David SteccoLT Joshua ValgardsonLT Tabatha WelkerLT Julie Yaekel-Black-ElkLT Ryan ZettleLTJG Elizabeth GeestLTJG Christopher PeltierLTJG Justin PlottLTJG Amanda RamirezLTJG Justin TafoyaENS Justin BellENS Danielle BlackENS Neil BlandENS Duane BurfieldENS Lauren ButnerENS Matthew ChadwickENS Sarah ChandlerENS Deanna ChavezENS Devin CooperENS Mikayla DeardorffENS Bryce DeguiseENS Melisaa DeveraENS Kim EisbergENS Tyler FincherENS Erica FleuryENS Wesley FowlerENS Stephen FriedmanENS Kathryn FromuthENS Richard GreeneENS Kyle GustofsonENS Zachary HanleyENS Kristen KarlsenENS Michael KenesENS Jeeah KimENS Brian KnorrENS Kenneth KnutsonENS Ariell LawrenceENS Maika LeeENS Ingrid LifleurENS James LudingtonENS Savannah MartinezENS Stanlee MaslonkaENS Candis MassingillENS Zarah MayewskiENS Amanda McQueenENS Jaren MeldrumENS Justin MiltonENS Julie NelsonENS Elaine NguyenENS Renee OwusuENS Marcos PerezENS Adriel PerryENS Laura PhanENS Ladonna PickettENS Matt PorterENS Andrew PouliotENS Jared QuesenberryENS Christopher Quinn-VawterENS Laura RamsdellENS Jedidiah ReimnitzENS Lailani RockholtENS Mollie RuthENS Ian SaxtonENS Allison ScottENS Chelsea SealeyENS James SimpsonENS Shane SloneENS Karsten SmithENS Jennifer StahlENS Elle StarkENS Joshua SteffeckENS Gabriel StonebrakerENS Nuri TawwabENS John TrochtaENS Marissa UreENS Kathryn ValenzuelaNIHLT Ian MylesENS Maggie KongENS Christopher MorrisPSCLT Lakeeta CarrPSCLT Filita MooreENS Rachel LucasJOAG’s mission is to provideadvice and consultation to theSurgeon General, ChiefProfessional Officers, ProfessionalAdvisory Committees, & otherCommissioned Corps groups onissues relating to professionalpractice and personnel activitiesaffecting Junior Officers in theUSPHS Commissioned Corps.

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 23MerchandiseJOAG MedallionThe JOAG Medallion serves as a constant reminderthat we are officers in the CommissionedCorps. It also serves to remind us of certaincharacteristics an officer must have: generosity,elevation of mind, goodness, nobility, camaraderie,and the continuity of these ideals throughtime.$10 per coin plus $1 shipping and handlingPHS Core Values CoinThe PHS Core Values Coin serves to remind allofficers of the four Commissioned CorpsValues of Leadership, Service, Integrity, andExcellence.$10 per coin plus $1 shipping and handlingUSPHS Coin RackThis solid pacific coast maple coin rack measures7”x9” and has five rows thatcan hold military and USPHS coins. It hasthe USPHS seal and mission laser engravedon the front.Now available for pre-order for $26/rackplus $5 shipping and handling**T-shirts are sold-out and will be available in Spring 2012**Interested in pre-ordering? Visit the Merchandise section of the JOAG website to viewthe order form and instructions:http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/JOAG/index_files/Merchandise.htmFor questions related to purchasing items please or contact LCDR Glendolynn Johnson,JOAG Financial Liaison at Glendolynn.Johnson@fda.hhs.gov.Visit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/

The JOAG JournalPage 24ANNOUNCEMENTSJOAG Voting Membership 2011-2012JOAG Senior Advisor:CAPT Dan S. BeckJOAG Executive Committee:Chair, LCDR Damon Smith, HSOVice-Chair, LCDR Brett Maycock, HSO*Chair-Elect, LT Tracy Tilghman, HSOFinancial Liaison, LCDR Glendolynn Johnson, PharmacySecretary, LCDR Eva McLanahan, EHO*Ex-Officio, LCDR Carlos Bell, HSOJOAG Voting Members:AwardsLT Ben Chadwick (IHS), Engineer*LCDR Liatte Krueger (FDA), Pharmacy*COF PlanningLCDR Latonia Ford (FDA), NurseCommunications & Publications (CPC)LCDR Janice Arceneaux (CMS), Nurse*LCDR William Lanier (FDA), Veterinarian*DevelopmentLCDR Kate Sawyer (PSC), Medical*Inter-Services CollaborationsLT Mitchel Holliday (BOP), Dietician*MembershipLCDR Irene Chan (FDA), PharmacyLCDR Kristian Burnham (BOP), Therapist*Policy & Procedures (P&P)LT Tracy Tilghman (FDA), HSOProfessional Development (PD)LCDR Sam Schaffzin (CMS), HSOLCDR Heidi Hudson (CDC), HSORecruitment & Retention (R&R)LT Martin Guardia (FDA), HSOLT Krista Pihlaja (IHS), EngineerWelcomingLCDR Scott Steffen (FDA), Scientist*PAC LiaisonsLT Scott Williams (IHS), Dentist*LCDR Eva McLanahan (EPA), EHO*LCDR Brett Maycock (DHS), HSO**JOAG PAC LiaisonTo view the 2010-2011 Voting Member Roster andBios, please visit the JOAG website.

Vol. 19 Fall 2011Page 25JOIN OUR MEETINGSJOAG General Meeting and Journeyman Series2011-2012December 9, 2011: JOAG General Membership Meeting, 1300-1500 EDTJanuary 13, 2012: Journeyman Speaker Series, 1300– 1400 EDTFebruary 10, 2012: JOAG General Membership Meeting, 1300-1500 EDTMarch 9, 2012: Journeyman Speaker Series, 1300– 1400 EDTApril 13, 2012: JOAG General Membership Meeting, 1300-1500 EDTMay 11, 2012: Journeyman Speaker Series, 1300– 1400 EDTJune 19-21, 2012 (COF Symposium): JOAG General Membership Meeting, 1300-1500 EDTJuly 13, 2012: Journeyman Speaker Series, 1300– 1400 EDTAugust 10, 2012: JOAG General Membership Meeting, 1300-1500 EDTSeptember 9, 2012: Journeyman Speaker Series, 1300– 1400 EDTJoin us for JOAG’s monthly meetings viateleconference or in person on thesecond Friday of each month.By Conference Call: (218) 936-4700Passcode: 791-9605#In Person: Parklawn Building5600 Fishers LaneRoom 12A-55Rockville, MD 20857Any opinions or thoughts presented in theJOAG Journal are solely those of the authorand do not represent the U.S. Public HealthService (USPHS), United States Department ofHealth and Human Services (HHS), or anyother government agency.Miss a JOAG Meeting? Don’tdespair! JOAG meetings arerecorded. Audio recordings are available“on demand” by e-mailingLCDR Hiren Patel atHiren.Patel@fda.hhs.govThis newsletter has been provided by the JOAG Communications& Publications Committee. For more informationon how to contribute to future editions,please contact Committee Chairs LCDR Janice Arceneauxand LCDR Willy Lanier, or LCDR DavidWright, JOAG Editing Subcommittee LeadVisit JOAG at: http://www.usphs.gov/corpslinks/joag/